The Executive Yuan's Green Energy and Low Carbon Committee today approved targets for reducing 2016 greenhouse gas emissions from the energy, industry, transportation, agriculture and residential/commerce sectors to 2012-2014 levels. Responsibility for achieving these commitments will lie with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Council of Agriculture and Ministry of the Interior.
Taiwan incorporated its greenhouse gas reduction commitments into law when it enacted the Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act last July and announced its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) last September, said Minister without Portfolio Yeh Shin-cheng, who heads the committee. Among the decisions made at today's meeting, passing the 2016 sector targets was most important, he added.
Taiwan's greenhouse gas emissions have risen over the years along with economic and social development, Yeh continued. Assuming that emission levels peaked last year, today's decision to reduce 2016 greenhouse gas emission to 2012-2014 levels would mean a carbon reduction target of 251 million metric tons. Emissions over the coming years will also be cut in line with the INDC plan.
The Paris Agreement approved at the United Nations Climate Change Conference last December marks a milestone in combating climate change, Executive Yuan officials said. Although Taiwan is not a party to the agreement, it is a member of the global village and must therefore contribute to the effort. To achieve its carbon cutting targets, Taiwan is actively promoting the use and development of low-carbon energy resources and adjusting its industrial structure. The government is also formulating a set of supporting measures to minimize the impact of greenhouse gas reduction to overall society.